Processor comprising three-dimensional memory (3D-M) array

Abstract

The present invention discloses a processor comprising three-dimensional memory (3D-M) array (3D-processor). Instead of logic-based computation (LBC), the 3D-processor uses memory-based computation (MBC). It comprises an array of computing elements, with each computing element comprising an arithmetic logic circuit (ALC) and a 3D-M-based look-up table (3DM-LUT). The ALC performs arithmetic operations on the LUT data, while the 3DM-LUT is stored in at least one 3D-M array.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Chinese Patent Application 201610083747.7, filed on Feb. 13, 2016; Chinese Patent Application 201610260845.3, filed on Apr. 22, 2016; Chinese Patent Application 201610289592.2, filed on May 2, 2016; Chinese Patent Application 201710237780.5, filed on Apr. 12, 2017, in the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China (CN), the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by references in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of integrated circuit, and more particularly to processors.

2. Prior Art

Conventional processors use logic-based computation (LBC) which carries out computation primarily with logic circuits (e.g. XOR circuit). Logic circuits are suitable for arithmetic operations (i.e. addition, subtraction and multiplication), but not for non-arithmetic functions, i.e. mathematical functions whose operations are more than the arithmetic operations performable by the conventional logic circuits (e.g. elementary functions, special functions). Non-arithmetic functions are computationally hard. Rapid and efficient realization thereof has been a major challenge.

For the conventional processors, only few basic non-arithmetic functions (e.g. basic algebraic functions and basic transcendental functions) are implemented by hardware and they are referred to as built-in functions. These built-in functions are realized by a combination of logic circuits and look-up tables (LUT). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,787 issued to Eun on Sep. 21, 1999 taught a method for generating sine/cosine functions using LUTs; U.S. Pat. No. 9,207,910 issued to Azadet et al. on Dec. 8, 2015 taught a method for calculating a power function using LUTs.

Realization of built-in functions is further illustrated in FIG. 1A. A conventional processor 300 generally comprises a logic circuit 380 and a memory circuit 370. The logic circuit 380 comprises an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) for performing arithmetic operations, while the memory circuit 370 stores an LUT for the built-in function. To obtain a desired precision, the built-in function is approximated to a polynomial of a sufficiently high order. The LUT 370 stores the coefficients of the polynomial; and the ALU 380 calculates the polynomial. Because the ALU 380 and the LUT 370 are formed side-by-side on a semiconductor substrate 0, this type of horizontal integration is referred to as two-dimensional (2-D) integration.

Computation has been developed along the directions of computational density and computational complexity. The computational density is a figure of merit for parallel computation and it refers to the computational power (e.g. the number of floating-point operations per second) per die area. The computational complexity is a figure of merit for scientific computation and it refers to the total number of built-in functions supported by a processor. The 2-D integration severely limits computational density and computational complexity.

For the 2-D integration, inclusion of the LUT 370 increases the die size of the conventional processor 300 and lowers its computational density. This has an adverse effect on parallel computation. Moreover, because the ALU 380 is the primary component of the conventional processor 300 and occupies a large die area, the LUT 370 is left with a small die area and only supports few built-in functions. FIG. 1B lists all built-in transcendental functions supported by an Intel Itanium (IA-64) processor (referring to Harrison et al. “The Computation of Transcendental Functions on the IA-64 Architecture”, Intel Technical journal, Q4 1999, hereinafter Harrison). The IA-64 processor supports a total of 7 built-in transcendental functions, each using a relatively small LUT (from 0 to 24 kb) in conjunction with a relatively high-degree Taylor-series calculation (from 5 to 22).

This small set of built-in functions (˜10 types, including arithmetic operations) is the foundation of scientific computation. Scientific computation uses advanced computing capabilities to advance human understandings and solve engineering problems. It has wide applications in computational mathematics, computational physics, computational chemistry, computational biology, computational engineering, computational economics, computational finance and other computational fields. The prevailing framework of scientific computation comprises three layers: a foundation layer, a function layer and a modeling layer. The foundation layer includes built-in functions that can be implemented by hardware. The function layer includes mathematical functions that cannot be implemented by hardware (e.g. non-basic non-arithmetic functions). The modeling layer includes mathematical models, which are the mathematical descriptions of the input-output characteristics of a system component.

The mathematical functions in the function layer and the mathematical models in the modeling layer are implemented by software. The function layer involves one software-decomposition step: mathematical functions are decomposed into combinations of built-in functions by software, before these built-in functions and the associated arithmetic operations are calculated by hardware. The modeling layer involves two software-decomposition steps: the mathematical models are first decomposed into combinations of mathematical functions; then the mathematical functions are further decomposed into combinations of built-in functions. Apparently, the software-implemented functions (e.g. mathematical functions, mathematical models) run much slower and less efficient than the hardware-implemented functions (i.e. built-in functions), and extra software-decomposition steps (e.g. for mathematical models) would make these performance gaps even more pronounced.

Because the arithmetic operations performable by the ALC consist of addition, subtraction and multiplication, the mathematical models that can be implemented by the ALC alone are linear models only. Typical mathematical models are nonlinear and cannot be represented by a combination of these arithmetic operations. To illustrate how computationally intensive a mathematical model could be, FIGS. 2A-2B disclose a simple example—the simulation of an amplifier circuit 20. The amplifier circuit 20 comprises a transistor 24 and a resistor 22 (FIG. 2A). All transistor models (e.g. MOS3, BSIM3 V3.2, BSIM4 V3.0, PSP of FIG. 2B) model the transistor behaviors based on the small set of built-in functions provided by the conventional processor 300. Due to the limited choice of the built-in functions, calculating even a single current-voltage (I-V) point for the transistor 24 requires a large amount of computation (FIG. 2B). As an example, the BSIM4 V3.0 transistor model needs 222 additions, 286 multiplications, 85 divisions, 16 square-root operations, 24 exponential operations, and 19 logarithmic operations. This large amount of computation makes simulation extremely slow and inefficient.

Objects and Advantages

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a paradigm shift for scientific computation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a processor with improved computational complexity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a processor with a large set of built-in functions.

It is a further object of the present invention to realize non-arithmetic functions rapidly and efficiently.

It is a further object of the present invention to realize rapid and efficient modeling and simulation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a processor with improved computational density.

In accordance with these and other objects of the present invention, the present invention discloses a processor comprising three-dimensional memory (3D-M) arrays (3D-processor). Instead of logic-based computation (LBC), the 3D-processor uses memory-based computation (MBC).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a processor comprising three-dimensional memory (3D-M) array (3D-processor). It comprises an array of computing elements formed on a semiconductor substrate, with each computing element comprising an arithmetic logic circuit (ALC) and a look-up table (LUT) based on 3D-M (3DM-LUT). The ALC is formed on the substrate and it performs arithmetic operations on the 3DM-LUT data. The 3DM-LUT is stored in at least a 3D-M array. The 3D-M array is stacked above the ALC and at least partially covers the ALC. The 3D-M array is further communicatively coupled with the ALC with the contact vias. These contact vias are collectively referred to as 3-D interconnects.

The present invention further discloses a memory-based computation (MBC), which carries out computation primarily with the 3DM-LUT. Compared with the conventional logic-based computation (LBC), the 3DM-LUT used by the MBC has a much larger capacity than the conventional LUT. Although arithmetic operations are still performed for most MBCs, using a larger LUT as a starting point, the MBC only needs to calculate a polynomial to a smaller order. For the MBC, the fraction of computation done by the 3DM-LUT could be more than the ALC.

Because the 3DM-LUT is stacked above the ALC, this type of vertical integration is referred to as three-dimensional (3-D) integration. The 3-D integration has a profound effect on the computational density. Because the 3D-M array does not occupy any substrate area, the footprint of the computing element is roughly equal to that of the ALC. However, the footprint of a conventional processor is roughly equal to the sum of the footprints of the LUT and the ALU. By moving the LUT from aside to above, the computing element becomes smaller. The 3D-processor would contain more computing elements, become more computationally powerful and support massive parallelism.

The 3-D integration also has a profound effect on the computational complexity of the 3D-processor. For a conventional processor, the total LUT capacity is less than 100 kb. In contrast, the total 3DM-LUT capacity for a 3D-processor could reach 100 Gb (for example, a 3D-XPoint die has a storage capacity of 128 Gb). Consequently, a single 3D-processor die could support as many as 10,000 built-in functions, which are three orders of magnitude more than the conventional processor.

Significantly more built-in functions shall flatten the prevailing framework of scientific computation (including the foundation, function and modeling layers). The hardware-implemented functions, which were only available to the foundation layer, now become available to the function and modeling layers. Not only mathematical functions in the function layer can be directly realized by hardware, but also mathematical models in the modeling layer can be directly described by hardware. In the function layer, mathematical functions can be realized by a function-by-LUT method, i.e. the function values are calculated by reading the 3DM-LUT plus polynomial interpolation. In the modeling layer, mathematical models can be described by a model-by-LUT method, i.e. the input-output characteristics of a system component are modeled by reading the 3DM-LUT plus polynomial interpolation. Rapid and efficient computation would lead to a paradigm shift for scientific computation.

Accordingly, the present invention discloses a three-dimensional processor (3D-processor), comprising: a semiconductor substrate including transistors thereon; at least a computing element formed on said semiconductor substrate, said computing element comprising an arithmetic logic circuit (ALC) and a three-dimensional memory (3D-M)-based look-up table (3DM-LUT), wherein said ALC is formed on said semiconductor substrate and configured to perform at least one arithmetic operation on data from said 3DM-LUT; said 3DM-LUT is stored in at least a 3D-M array, said 3D-M array being stacked above said ALC; said 3D-M array and said ALC are communicatively coupled by a plurality of contact vias.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a conventional processor (prior art); FIG. 1B lists all transcendental functions supported by an Intel Itanium (IA-64) processor (prior art);

FIG. 2A is a circuit block diagram of an amplifier circuit; FIG. 2B lists number of operations to calculate a current-voltage (I-V) point for various transistor models (prior art);

FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a preferred 3D-processor; FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a preferred computing element;

FIGS. 4A-4C are the block diagrams of three preferred ALC;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a preferred computing element comprising at least a three-dimensional writable memory (3D-W) array; FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a preferred computing element comprising at least a three-dimensional printed memory (3D-P) array; FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a preferred computing element;

FIG. 6A is a schematic view of a 3D-M cell comprising a diode or a diode-like device; FIG. 6B is a schematic view of a 3D-M cell comprising a transistor or a transistor-like device;

FIGS. 7A-7C are the substrate layout views of three preferred 3D-processors;

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a first preferred computing element; FIG. 8B is its substrate layout view; FIG. 8C is a detailed circuit diagram of the first preferred computing element;

FIG. 9A is a block diagram of a second preferred computing element; FIG. 9B is its substrate-circuit layout view;

FIG. 10A is a block diagram of a third preferred computing element; FIG. 10B is its substrate-circuit layout view.

It should be noted that all the drawings are schematic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of the device structures in the figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference symbols are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar features in the different embodiments. The symbol “/” means a relationship of “and” or “or”.

Throughout the present invention, the phrase “memory” is used in its broadest sense to mean any semiconductor-based holding place for information, either permanent or temporary; the phrase “permanent” is used in its broadest sense to mean any long-term storage; the phrase “communicatively coupled” is used in its broadest sense to mean any coupling whereby information may be passed from one element to another element; the phrase “on the substrate” means the active elements of a circuit (e.g. transistors) are formed on the surface of the substrate, although the interconnects between these active elements are formed above the substrate and do not touch the substrate; the phrase “above the substrate” means the active elements (e.g. memory cells) are formed above the substrate and do not touch the substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Those of ordinary skills in the art will realize that the following description of the present invention is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons from an examination of the within disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 3A-3B, a preferred processor 100 comprising a three-dimensional memory (3D-M) array (3D-processor) is disclosed. The preferred 3D-processor 100 comprises an array of computing elements 110-1, 110-2 . . . 110-i . . . 110-N (FIG. 3A). The computing elements 110-1 . . . 110-N could realize a same function or different functions. Each computing element 110-i could have one or more input variables 150, and one or more output variables 190 (FIG. 3B). Each computing element 110-i comprises an arithmetic logic circuit (ALC) 180 and a look-up table (LUT) based on 3D-M (3DM-LTU) 170. The ALC 180 performs arithmetic operations on the 3DM-LUT data, while the 3DM-LUT 170 is stored in at least a 3D-M array. The 3DM-LUT may possess a two-dimensional structure (e.g. the function represented by the 3DM-LUT has one input variable and one output value), or a multi-dimensional structure (e.g. the function represented by the 3DM-LUT has two input variables and one output value). The ALC 180 and the 3DM-LUT 170 are communicatively coupled by 3D-interconnects 160. Because the 3D-M array 170 is formed on a different level than the ALC 180 (shown in FIGS. 5A-5C), it is represented by dotted line in this and following figures.

The 3D-processor 100 uses memory-based computation (MBC), which carries out computation primarily with the 3DM-LUT 170. Compared with the conventional logic-based computation (LBC), the 3DM-LUT 170 used by the MBC has a much larger capacity than the conventional LUT 370. Although arithmetic operations are still performed for most MBCs, using a larger LUT as a starting point, the MBC only needs to calculate a polynomial to a smaller order. For the MBC, the fraction of computation done by the 3DM-LUT 170 could be more than the ALC 180.

FIGS. 4A-4C are the block diagrams of three preferred ALC 180. The first preferred ALC 180 comprises an adder 180A, the second preferred ALC 180 comprises a multiplier 180M, with the third preferred ALC 180 comprising a multiplier-accumulator (MAC), which includes an adder 180A and a multiplier 180M. The preferred ALC 180 could perform integer arithmetic operations, fixed-point arithmetic operations, or floating-point arithmetic operations. To those skilled in the art, besides the above arithmetic circuits, the preferred ALC 180 may also comprise memory circuits, e.g. registers, flip-flops, buffer RAMs.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5C, the computing element 110-i comprising different types of 3D-M are disclosed. 3D-M was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,396 issued to Zhang on Nov. 10, 1998. It comprises a plurality of vertically stacked memory levels formed on a semiconductor substrate, with each memory level comprising a plurality of 3D-M arrays. Each 3D-M array is a collection of 3D-M cells in a memory level that share at least one address-line.

3D-M can be categorized into 3D-RAM (random access memory) and 3D-ROM (read-only memory). As used herein, the phrase “RAM” is used in its broadest sense to mean any memory for temporarily holding information, including but not limited to registers, SRAM, and DRAM; the phrase “ROM” is used in its broadest sense to mean any memory for permanently holding information, wherein the information being held could be either electrically alterable or un-alterable. Most common 3D-M is 3D-ROM. The 3D-ROM is further categorized into 3-D writable memory (3D-W) and 3-D printed memory (3D-P).

For the 3D-W, data can be electrically written (or, programmable). Based on the number of programmings allowed, a 3D-W can be categorized into three-dimensional one-time-programmable memory (3D-OTP) and three-dimensional multiple-time-programmable memory (3D-MTP). The 3D-OTP can be written once, while the 3D-MTP is electrically re-programmable. An exemplary 3D-MTP is 3D-XPoint. Other types of 3D-MTP include memristor, resistive random-access memory (RRAM or ReRAM), phase-change memory, programmable metallization cell (PMC), conductive-bridging random-access memory (CBRAM), and the like. For the 3D-W, the 3DM-LUT 170 can be configured in the field. This becomes even better when the 3D-MTP is used, as the 3DM-LUT 170 would become re-configured.

For the 3D-P, data are recorded thereto using a printing method during manufacturing. These data are fixedly recorded and cannot be changed after manufacturing. The printing methods include photo-lithography, nano-imprint, e-beam lithography, DUV lithography, and laser-programming, etc. An exemplary 3D-P is three-dimensional mask-programmed read-only memory (3D-MPROM), whose data are recorded by photo-lithography. Because electrical programming is not required, a memory cell in the 3D-P can be biased at a larger voltage during read than the 3D-W and therefore, the 3D-P is faster than the 3D-W.

FIG. 5A discloses a preferred computing element 110-i comprising at least a 3D-W array. It comprises a substrate circuit 0K formed on the substrate 0. The ALC 180 is a portion of the substrate circuit 0K. A first memory level 16A is stacked above the substrate circuit 0K, with a second memory level 16B stacked above the first memory level 16A. The substrate circuit 0K includes the peripheral circuits of the memory levels 16A, 16B. It comprises transistors 0t and the associated interconnect 0M. Each of the memory levels (e.g. 16A, 16B) comprises a plurality of first address-lines (i.e. y-lines, e.g. 2a, 4a), a plurality of second address-lines (i.e. x-lines, e.g. 1a, 3a) and a plurality of 3D-W cells (e.g. 6aa). The first and second memory levels 16A, 16B are coupled to the ALC 180 through contact vias 1av, 3av, respectively. The LUTs stored in all 3D-M arrays coupled to the ALC 180 are collectively referred to as the 3DM-LUT 170. Coupling the 3DM-LUT 170 with the ALC 180, the contact vias 1av, 3av are collectively referred to as 3D-interconnects 160.

The 3D-W cell 5aa comprises a programmable layer 12 and a diode layer 14. The programmable layer 12 could be an antifuse layer (which can be programmed once and is used for the 3D-OTP) or a re-programmable layer (which is used for the 3D-MTP). The diode layer 14 is broadly interpreted as any layer whose resistance at the read voltage is substantially lower than when the applied voltage has a magnitude smaller than or polarity opposite to that of the read voltage. The diode could be a semiconductor diode (e.g. p-i-n silicon diode), or a metal-oxide (e.g. TiO₂) diode.

FIG. 5B discloses a preferred computing element 110-i comprising at least a 3D-P array. It has a structure similar to that of FIG. 5A except for the memory cells. 3D-P has at least two types of memory cells: a high-resistance 3D-P cell 5aa, and a low-resistance 3D-P cell 5ac. The low-resistance 3D-P cell 5ac comprises a diode layer 14, while the high-resistance 3D-P cell 5aa comprises at least a high-resistance layer 13. The diode layer 14 is similar to that in the 3D-W. The high-resistance layer 13, on the other hand, could simply be a layer of insulating dielectric (e.g. silicon oxide, or silicon nitride). It is physically removed at the location of the low-resistance 3D-P cell 5ac during manufacturing.

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the preferred computing element 110-i. The ALC 180 is formed on the substrate 0. The 3DM-LUT 170 is vertically stacked above and at least partially covers the ALC 180. The 3-D integration moves the 3DM-LUT 170 physically close to the ALC 180. Because the contact vias 1av, 3av coupling them are short (on the order of an um in length) and numerous (thousands at least), the 3D-interconnects 160 have a much larger bandwidth than the conventional processor 300. As the 2-D integration places the ALU 380 and the LUT 370 side-by-side on the substrate 0, the interconnects coupling them are much longer (hundreds of ums in length) and fewer (hundreds at most).

FIGS. 6A-6B show two types of the preferred 3D-M cell 5ab. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6A, the 3D-M cell 5ab comprises a variable resistor 12 and a diode (or a diode-like device) 14. The variable resistor 12 is realized by the programmable layer of FIG. 5A. It can be varied during manufacturing or after manufacturing. The diode (or diode-like device) 14 is realized by the diode layer of FIG. 5A. It is broadly interpreted as any two-terminal device whose resistance at the read voltage is substantially lower than when the applied voltage has a magnitude smaller than or polarity opposite to that of the read voltage.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 6B, the 3D-M cell 5ab comprises a transistor or a transistor-like device 16. The transistor or transistor-like device 16 is broadly interpreted as any three- (or, more-) terminal device whose resistance between the first and second terminals can be modulated by an electrical signal on a third terminal. In this preferred embodiment, the device 16 further comprises a floating gate 18 for storing electrical charge which represents the digital information stored in the 3D-M cell 5ab. To those skilled in the art, the devices 16 can be organized into NOR-arrays or NAND-arrays. Depending on the direction of the current flow between the first and second terminals in the devices 16, the 3D-M could be categorized into horizontal 3D-M (e.g. 3D-XPoint) and vertical 3D-M (e.g. 3D-NAND).

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, the substrate layout views of three preferred computing elements 110-i are shown. In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the ALC 180 is only coupled with a single 3D-M array 170o and processes the 3DM-LUT data therefrom. The 3DM-LUT 170 is stored in the 3D-M array 170o. The ALC 180 is covered by the 3D-M array 170. The 3D-M array 170o has four peripheral circuits, including X-decoders 15o, 15o′ and Y-decoders 17o, 17o′. The ALC 180 is bound by these four peripheral circuits. As the 3D-M array is stacked above the substrate circuit 0K and does not occupy any substrate area, its projection on the substrate 0 is shown by dotted lines in this and following figures.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7B, the ALC 180 is coupled with four 3D-M arrays 170a-170d and processes the 3DM-LUT data therefrom. The 3DM-LUT 170 is stored in four 3D-M arrays 170a-170d. Different from FIG. 7A, each 3D-M array (e.g. 170a) has two peripheral circuits (e.g. X-decoder 15a and Y-decoder 17a). The ALC 180 is bound by eight peripheral circuits (including X-decoders 15a-15d and Y-decoders 17a-17d) and located below four 3D-M arrays 170a-170d. Apparently, the ALC 180 of FIG. 7B could be four times as large as that of FIG. 7A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7C, the ALC 180 is coupled with eight 3D-M arrays 170a-170d, 170w-170z and processes the 3DM-LUT data therefrom. The 3DM-LUT 170 is stored in eight 3D-M arrays 170a-170d, 170w-170z. These 3D-M arrays are divided into two sets: a first set 150a includes four 3D-M arrays 170a-170d, and a second set 150b includes four 3D-M arrays 170w-170z. Below the four 3D-M arrays 170a-170d of the first set 150a, a first component 180a of the ALC 180 is formed. Similarly, below the four 3D-M array 170w-170z of the second set 150b, a second component 180b of the ALC 180 is formed. In this embodiment, adjacent peripheral circuits (e.g. adjacent x-decoders 15a, 15c, or, adjacent y-decoders 17a, 17b) are separated by physical gaps G. These physical gaps allow the formation of the routing channel 182, 184, 186, which provide coupling between different components 180a, 180b, or between different ALCs 180a, 180b. Apparently, the ALC 180 of FIG. 7C could be eight times as large as that of FIG. 7A.

Because the 3DM-LUT 170 is stacked above the ALC 180, this type of vertical integration is referred to as three-dimensional (3-D) integration. The 3-D integration has a profound effect on the computational density of the 3D-processor 100. Because the 3DM-LUT 170 does not occupy any substrate area 0, the footprint of the computing element 110-i is roughly equal to that of the ALC 180. This is much smaller than a conventional processor 300, whose footprint is roughly equal to the sum of the footprints of the LUT 370 and the ALC 380. By moving the LUT from aside to above, the computing element becomes smaller. The 3D-processor 100 would contain more computing elements 110-l, become more computationally powerful and support massive parallelism.

The 3-D integration also has a profound effect on the computational complexity of the 3D-processor 100. For a conventional processor 300, the total LUT capacity is less than 100 kb. In contrast, the total 3DM-LUT capacity for a 3D-processor 100 could reach 100 Gb (for example, a 3D-XPoint die has a storage capacity of 128 Gb). Consequently, a single 3D-processor die 100 could support as many as 10,000 built-in functions, which are three orders of magnitude more than the conventional processor 300.

Significantly more built-in functions shall flatten the prevailing framework of scientific computation (including the foundation, function and modeling layers). The hardware-implemented built-in functions, which were only available to the foundation layer, now become available to the function and modeling layers. Not only mathematical functions in the function layer can be directly realized by hardware (FIGS. 8A-9B), but also mathematical models in the modeling layer can be directly described by hardware (FIGS. 10A-10B). In the function layer, mathematical functions can be realized by a function-by-LUT method, i.e. the function values are calculated by reading the 3DM-LUT plus polynomial interpolation. In the modeling layer, mathematical models can be described by a model-by-LUT method, i.e. the input-output characteristics of a system component are modeled by reading the 3DM-LUT plus polynomial interpolation. Rapid and efficient computation would lead to a paradigm shift for scientific computation.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8C, a first preferred computing element 110-i implementing a built-in function Y=f(X) is disclosed. It uses the function-by-LUT method. FIG. 8A is its circuit block diagram. The ALC 180 comprises a pre-processing circuit 180R, a 3DM-LUT 170P, and a post-processing circuit 180T. The pre-processing circuit 180R converts the input variable (X) 150 into an address (A) of the 3DM-LUT 170P. After the data (D) at the address (A) is read out from the 3DM-LUT 170P, the post-processing circuit 180T converts it into the function value (Y) 190. A residue (R) of the input variable (X) is fed into the post-processing circuit 180T to improve the calculation precision.

FIG. 8B is its substrate-circuit layout view. The 3D-M storing the 3DM-LUT 170P comprises at least a 3D-M array 170p, as well as its X-decoder 15p and Y-decoder 17p. The 3D-M array 170p covers the pre-processing circuit 180R and the post-processing circuit 180T. Although a single 3D-M array 170p is shown in this figure, the preferred embodiment could use multiple 3D-M arrays, as those shown in FIGS. 7B-7C. Because the 3DM-LUT 170 does not occupy any substrate area, the 3-D integration between the 3DM-LUT 170 and the ALC 180 (including the pre-processing circuit 180R and the post-processing circuit 180T) leads to a smaller footprint for the computing element 110-i.

FIG. 8C discloses the first preferred computing element 110-i which realizes a single-precision built-in function Y=f(X). The input variable X 150 has 32 bits (x₃₁ . . . x₀). The pre-processing circuit 180R extracts the higher 16 bits (x₃₁ . . . x₁₆) thereof and sends it as a 16-bit address A to the 3DM-LUT 170P. The pre-processing circuit 180R further extracts the lower 16 bits (x₁₅ . . . x₀) and sends it as a 16-bit residue R to the post-processing circuit 180T. The 3DM-LUT 170P comprises two 3DM-LUTs 170Q, 170R. Both 3DM-LUTs 170Q, 170R have 2 Mb capacities (16-bit input and 32-bit output): the 3DM-LUT 170Q stores the function value D1=f(A), while the 3DM-LUT 170R stores the first-order derivative value D2=f′(A). The post-processing circuit 180T comprises a multiplier 180M and an adder 180A. The output value (Y) 190 has 32 bits and is calculated from polynomial interpolation. In this case, the polynomial interpolation is a first-order Taylor series: Y(X)=D1+D2*R==f(A)+f′(A)*R. To those skilled in the art, higher-order polynomial interpolation (e.g. higher-order Taylor series) can be used to improve the calculation precision.

When calculating a built-in function, combining the LUT with polynomial interpolation can achieve a high precision without using an excessively large LUT. For example, if only LUT (without any polynomial interpolation) is used to realize a single-precision function (32-bit input and 32-bit output), it would have a capacity of 2³²*32=128 Gb, which is impractical. By including polynomial interpolation, significantly smaller LUTs can be used. In the above embodiment, a single-precision function can be realized using a total of 4 Mb LUT (2 Mb for function values, and 2 Mb for first-derivative values) in conjunction with a first-order Taylor series calculation. This is significantly less than the LUT-only approach (4 Mb vs. 128 Gb).

Besides elementary functions, the preferred embodiment of FIG. 8C can be used to implement non-elementary functions such as special functions. Special functions can be defined by means of power series, generating functions, infinite products, repeated differentiation, integral representation, differential difference, integral, and functional equations, trigonometric series, or other series in orthogonal functions. Important examples of special functions are gamma function, beta function, hyper-geometric functions, confluent hyper-geometric functions, Bessel functions, Legrendre functions, parabolic cylinder functions, integral sine, integral cosine, incomplete gamma function, incomplete beta function, probability integrals, various classes of orthogonal polynomials, elliptic functions, elliptic integrals, Lame functions, Mathieu functions, Riemann zeta function, automorphic functions, and others. The 3D-processor will simplify the calculation of special functions and promote their applications in scientific computation.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B, a second preferred computing element 110-i implementing a composite function Y=exp[K*log(X)]=X^K is disclosed. It uses the function-by-LUT method. FIG. 9A is its schematic circuit block diagram. The preferred computing element 110-i comprises two 3DM-LUTs 170S, 170T and a multiplier 180M. The 3DM-LUT 170S stores the Log( ) values, while the 3DM-LUT 170T stores the Exp( ) values. The input variable X is used as an address 150 for the 3DM-LUT 170S. The output Log(X) 160a from the 3DM-LUT 170S is multiplied by an exponent parameter K at the multiplier 180M. The multiplication result K*Log(X) is used as an address 160b for the 3DM-LUT 170T, whose output 190 is Y=X^K.

FIG. 9B is its substrate-circuit layout view. The substrate circuit 0K comprises the X-decoders 15s, 15t and the Y-decoders 17s, 17t for the 3D-M arrays 170s, 170t, as well as a multiplier 180M. Placed side-by-side, both 3D-M arrays 170s, 170t partially cover the multiplier 180M. Note that both embodiments in FIG. 8C and FIG. 9A comprise two 3DM-LUTs. These 3DM-LUTs could be stored in a single 3D-M array 170p (as in FIG. 8B), in two 3D-M arrays 170s, 170t placed side-by-side (as in FIG. 9B), or in two vertically stacked 3D-M arrays (i.e. on different memory levels 16A, 16B, as in FIGS. 5A-5C). Apparently, the 3DM-LUT can be stored in more 3D-M arrays.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10B, a third preferred computing element 110-i to simulate the amplifier circuit 20 of FIG. 2A is disclosed. It uses the model-by-LUT method. FIG. 10A is its schematic circuit block diagram. The preferred computing element 110-i comprises a 3DM-LUT 170U, an adder 180A and a multiplier 180M. The 3DM-LUT 170U stores the data associated with the behaviors (e.g. input-output characteristics) of the transistor 24. By using the input voltage value (V_IN) as an address 150 for the 3DM-LUT 170U, the readout 160 of the 3DM-LUT 170U is the drain-current value (I_D). After the I_D value is multiplied with the minus resistance value (−R) of the resistor 22 by the multiplier 180M, the multiplication result (−R*I_D) is added to the V_DD value by the adder 180A to generate the output voltage value (V_OUT) 190.

The 3DM-LUT 170U stores different forms of mathematical models. In one case, the mathematical model data stored in the 3DM-LUT 170U is raw measurement data, i.e. the measured input-output characteristics of the transistor 24. One example is the measured drain current vs. the applied gate-source voltage (I_D-V_GS) characteristics. In another case, the mathematical model data stored in the 3DM-LUT 170U is the smoothed measurement data. The raw measurement data could be smoothed using a purely mathematical method (e.g. a best-fit model). Or, this smoothing process can be aided by a physical transistor model (e.g. a BSIM4 V3.0 transistor model). In a third case, the mathematical data stored in the 3DM-LUT include not only the measured data, but also its derivative values. For example, the 3DM-LUT data include not only the drain-current values of the transistor 24 (e.g. the I_D-V_GS characteristics), but also its transconductance values (e.g. the G_m-V_GS characteristics). With derivative values, polynomial interpolation can be used to improve the modeling precision using a reasonable-size 3DM-LUT, as in the case of FIG. 8C.

FIG. 10B is its substrate-circuit layout view. The substrate circuit 0K comprises the X-decoder 15u and the Y-decoder 17u for the 3D-M array 170u, as well as the multiplier 180M and the adder 180A. The 3D-M array 170u covers the multiplier 180M and the adder 180A. Although a single 3D-M array 170u is shown in this figure, the preferred embodiment could use multiple 3D-M arrays 170u, as those shown in FIGS. 7B-7C.

Model-by-LUT offers many advantages. By skipping two software-decomposition steps (from mathematical models to mathematical functions, and from mathematical functions to built-in functions), it saves substantial modeling time and energy. Model-by-LUT may need less LUT than function-by-LUT. Because a transistor model (e.g. BSIM4 V3.0) has hundreds of model parameters, calculating the intermediate functions of the transistor model requires extremely large LUTs. However, if we skip function-by-LUT (namely, skipping the transistor models and the associated intermediate functions), the transistor behaviors can be described using only three parameters (including the gate-source voltage V_GS, the drain-source voltage V_DS, and the body-source voltage V_BS). Describing the mathematical models of the transistor 24 requires relatively small LUTs.

While illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications than that have been mentioned above are possible without departing from the inventive concepts set forth therein. For example, the processor could be a micro-controller, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a network-security processor, an encryption/decryption processor, an encoding/decoding processor, a neural-network processor, or an artificial intelligence (AI) processor. These processors can be found in consumer electronic devices (e.g. personal computers, video game machines, smart phones) as well as engineering and scientific workstations and server machines. The invention, therefore, is not to be limited except in the spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional processor, comprising a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of computing elements disposed thereon, each of said computing elements comprising:

at least a three-dimensional memory (3D-M) array and peripheral circuits thereof, wherein said 3D-M array comprises a plurality of vertically stacked memory cells for storing at least a portion of a look-up table (LUT) for a mathematical function, said memory cells being neither in contact with nor interposed by any semiconductor substrate including said semiconductor substrate; and, at least a portion of said peripheral circuits is disposed on said semiconductor substrate;

a plurality of 3D-interconnects entirely disposed between said 3D-M array and said portion of said peripheral circuits, with one ends in contact with said 3D-M array and the other ends in contact with said portion of said peripheral circuits, wherein said 3D-interconnects do not penetrate through any semiconductor substrate including said semiconductor substrate;

an arithmetic logic circuit (ALC) disposed on said semiconductor substrate and adjacent to said portion of said peripheral circuits, wherein said ALC performs at least an arithmetic operation on selected data from said LUT; and, said ALC and said 3D-M array at least partially overlap.

2. The processor according to claim 1, wherein said LUT includes functional values or derivative values of said mathematical function.

3. The processor according to claim 1, wherein said mathematical function includes more operations than arithmetic operations performable by said ALC.

4. The processor according to claim 1, wherein said mathematical function represents a mathematical model.

5. The processor according to claim 4, wherein said LUT includes raw measurement data or smoothed measurement data.

6. The processor according to claim 1, wherein said ALC comprises at least an adder, a multiplier, a multiply-accumulator (MAC), a pre-processing circuit, or a post-processing circuit.

7. The processor according to claim 1, wherein said 3D-interconnects comprise a plurality of contact vias.

8. A three-dimensional processor, comprising a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of computing elements disposed thereon, each of said computing elements comprising:

at least a three-dimensional memory (3D-M) array and peripheral circuits thereof, wherein said 3D-M array comprises a plurality of vertically stacked memory cells for storing at least a portion of a look-up table (LUT) for a mathematical function, said memory cells being neither in contact with nor interposed by any semiconductor substrate including said semiconductor substrate; and, at least a portion of said peripheral circuits is disposed on said semiconductor substrate;

a plurality of 3D-interconnects entirely disposed between said 3D-M array and said portion of said peripheral circuits, with one ends in contact with said 3D-M array and the other ends in contact with said portion of said peripheral circuits, wherein said 3D-interconnects do not penetrate through any semiconductor substrate including said semiconductor substrate;

an arithmetic logic circuit (ALC) disposed on said semiconductor substrate, wherein said ALC performs at least an arithmetic operation on selected data from said LUT; and, said ALC is surrounded by said portion of said peripheral circuits, said portion of said peripheral circuits is disposed outside said ALC.

9. The processor according to claim 8, wherein said LUT includes functional values or derivative values of said mathematical function.

10. The processor according to claim 8, wherein said mathematical function includes more operations than arithmetic operations performable by said ALC.

11. The processor according to claim 8, wherein said mathematical function represents a mathematical model.

12. The processor according to claim 11, wherein said LUT includes raw measurement data or smoothed measurement data.

13. The processor according to claim 8, wherein said ALC comprises at least an adder, a multiplier, a multiply-accumulator (MAC), a pre-processing circuit, or a post-processing circuit.

14. The processor according to claim 8, wherein said 3D-interconnects comprise a plurality of contact vias.

15. A three-dimensional processor, comprising a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of computing elements disposed thereon, each of said computing elements comprising:

at least a three-dimensional memory (3D-M) array and peripheral circuits thereof, wherein said 3D-M array comprises a plurality of vertically stacked memory cells for storing at least a portion of a look-up table (LUT) for a mathematical function, said memory cells being neither in contact with nor interposed by any semiconductor substrate including said semiconductor substrate; and, at least a portion of said peripheral circuits is disposed on said semiconductor substrate;

a plurality of 3D-interconnects entirely disposed between said 3D-M array and said portion of said peripheral circuits, with one ends in contact with said 3D-M array and the other ends in contact with said portion of said peripheral circuits, wherein said 3D-interconnects do not penetrate through any semiconductor substrate including said semiconductor substrate;

an arithmetic logic circuit (ALC) comprising a plurality of components disposed on said semiconductor substrate, wherein said ALC performs at least an arithmetic operation on selected data from said LUT; and, each of said components is surrounded by selected ones of said peripheral circuits, each of said peripheral circuits is disposed outside said components.

16. The processor according to claim 15, wherein said LUT includes functional values or derivative values of said mathematical function.

17. The processor according to claim 15, wherein said mathematical function includes more operations than arithmetic operations performable by said ALC.

18. The processor according to claim 15, wherein said mathematical function represents a mathematical model.

19. The processor according to claim 18, wherein said LUT includes raw measurement data or smoothed measurement data.

20. The processor according to claim 15, wherein said ALC comprises at least an adder, a multiplier, a multiply-accumulator (MAC), a pre-processing circuit, or a post-processing circuit.